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THIS SINGER'S TOP 50
  First of all, let me qualify; there is no official Stevie Wonder Top 50 list, but in the aftermath of his 59th birthday on this past Wednesday, I was compelled to create my own, from a vocalist’s perspective as well as a listener and collector. I very well could have gone 100, but I wanted to make this list as unique as possible, with some that might surprise even the hardcore fans. I could go on for ever about his greatness; that’s another column, another time, so here they are, 30 of which I’ve had the chance to perform live, from 50 to number 1.
50-SUPERSTITION-not a personal fave. Have heard and sung it so many times…made the cut though.
49-FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE-one from my childhood, taking me back to grammar school.
48-I WISH-an absolutely great song, another that’s been overdone…still love to sing it most nights.
47-SIGNED,SEALED,DELIVERED-it won me some money in ‘95, lost my expensive leather coat in the process…bittersweet…I did sing at Madison Square Garden 3 days later.
46-RIBBON IN THE SKY- As BLACKPOWER Baseball scribe calls it, ‘that old Negroid spiritual’, have done many church weddings with this song, revisited it recently after many years, and it brought me back to my early days of live performance.
45-HEAVEN HELP US ALL-I would do this in church, anyday.
44-TAKE UP A COURSE IN HAPPINESS-A song of hope and optimism, as Stevie transitioned into adulthood.
43-ONE OF A KIND- An obscure cut from the album that brought you’ Skeletons’.
42-IF SHE BREAKS YOUR HEART-From the Jungle Fever soundtrack, a showcase for the honey-voice Kimberly Brewer.
41-LATELY-Simply put, a haunting song of a love in chaos. No remake[ yes, Jodeci ], comes close, and I’ve sung their version also.
40-DO I DO-A challenge for any vocalist, I do not mess with it unless everything is working.
39-STUCK ON YOU-Recorded by one-hit wonder Finis Henderson['Skip To My Lou'], a great love song about a guy getting the courage up to express himself.
38-WE CAN WORK IT OUT- Funky rework of the Beatles classic.
37-THAT GIRL-A standard, one that been at the top of his playlist for years.
36-VISIONS-One of those ‘cosmic’ classics, from ‘Innervisions’.
35-MAYBE YOUR BABY-’Talking Book’s’ funkiest tune, ’nuff said.
34-WEAKNESS-Great duet with the iconic Dionne Warwick, from the ‘Woman In Red’ soundtrack.
33-I GO SAILING-Smooth groove from ‘Jungle Fever’.
32-LOOKING FOR ANOTHER PURE LOVE-The intro is wondrous, so to speak, as Stevie goes up and down the vocal scale.
31-ALL I DO-Don’t ask me to sing this one, It doesn’t translate well with me, but still, it is a gem.
30-IF IT’S MAGIC-Wow, lyrically this song is simple, but eloquent.
29-SUMMER SOFT-Well-crafted, well sung, great one from ‘Songs In The Key of Life’…makes you contemplate the seasons.
28-ROCKET LOVE-Damn, while I have yet to sing it, I have lived it.
27-LOVE’S LIGHT IN FLIGHT-Another on my wish list, the signature agressive Wonder vocal delivery.
26-I WAS MADE TO LOVE HER-Look up ‘MOTOWN’ in the dictionary, and this song should pop up. Childhood memories never die.
                    PART ONE
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If you get 50 different people, you’ll get 50 different top 50 list’s for Stevie. Personally, “Superstition” did not make my top 50 list. I liked it as a child but it has become too commercialized. People not familiar with some of Stevie’s obscure “Cuts” need to You-Tube some of these songs.
> Carl Elliott
I meant to say BLACK POWER Baseball scribe CARL ELLIOTT in reference to song #46, sorry for the omission.
> MICHAEL DUNHAM
Mike…thanks for the memories. You are quite the historian!!! Stevie has been around so long that he feel’s like family. Livin’For The City is one of my faves…even like the version in New Jack City. All these years later…and the song is still timeless. But..”It It’s Magic,” simply blows me away!! An understated masterpiece.
> Vivian Eison
Mike,
I had forgotten some of those songs…it was nice remembering. As with most songs they bring you back to a time in your life and Stevie W has been around for so long that his songs can truly chronicle a life…I think i like Ribbon in the Sky best mostly for the words and the piano arrangement. The combination is just so rich and full…Can’t wait to see part 2.
> janice
Great Job Mike! can’t wait to see the rest. Hank
> Hank Jennings
wow..all those songs brought back so many memories some good & bad..INNERVISION was the jam back in the day for me..very interesting choices mike & i think u can very well handle DO I DO!!! cant wait for the next 50..little stevie was the bomb & he only got better..we r almost the same age..lol keep it comin
> connie
Greetings Michael:
I am relieved to know you made this list up, surely it was difficult. Mr. Wonder a musical genius, by the way where is “AS” ?. The soundtrack to my life is filled with Stevie Wonder tunes !!!!
> Kat
Anxious to see the next batch!
There’s nothing I’m more passionate about in life than music. For all of my studying, performing, and practicing, no composer lights a candle to the brilliance of Stevie. He consistently breaks every rule and pulls off stuff that just plain doesn’t make theoretical sense. His ideas come from a place that no other musician has access to. Learning a new Stevie song is one of the great joys in my life.
Mike – you know I appreciate playing behind you because you’re one of the very few who truly gets that! I also appreciate the fact that you stay true to Stevie’s bizarre choice of keys. A genius of that stature picks keys that make sense for his message. They shouldn’t be messed with just because a guitar player can’t play in the key of D# or a singer can’t sing in the key of Abm. You also get that and that makes the music sound more authentic. I appreciate that!
200 years from now, when the dust settles on the music of our generation, I have no doubt that Stevie will be the most prominent composer that is studied and analyzed. I’m grateful that I have a chance to play his music with and for people who genuinely appreciate his gift.
> Pat
NICE!
> Brian Holmes
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> gilded tarot
Is it achievable for me personally to follow you at Facebook?
> learn to play bass guitar
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